What's wrong with Merriman?

Why did Merriman get owned by a third string tackle last night? Why has he not been nearly as effective as he was as a rookie? Why has he put up 0's on the stat sheet in a couple of games this year when he is actually getting his 1 on 1 opportunities? Why was Merriman able to bullrush 320 pound offensive linemen as a rookie and now such a thing is unfathomable? Somebody enlighten me.

Why did Merriman get owned by a third string tackle last night? Why has he not been nearly as effective as he was as a rookie? Why has he put up 0's on the stat sheet in a couple of games this year when he is actually getting his 1 on 1 opportunities? Why was Merriman able to bullrush 320 pound offensive linemen as a rookie and now such a thing is unfathomable? Somebody enlighten me.

Click to expand...

Good question as i tend to agree .........however...his pressure DID help lead to two INT's.

It's very simple...a lack of steroids.
Without them he's not nearly the player he was...he's had very little real impact on any game this year.
Without the 'riods he's a little better than average...sure no Seau is he???

Why did Merriman get owned by a third string tackle last night? Why has he not been nearly as effective as he was as a rookie? Why has he put up 0's on the stat sheet in a couple of games this year when he is actually getting his 1 on 1 opportunities? Why was Merriman able to bullrush 320 pound offensive linemen as a rookie and now such a thing is unfathomable? Somebody enlighten me.

Click to expand...

My fellow Bolt brother said the same thing. Merriman shouldn't get pushed around by a 3rd string rookie. Man, time to get on the "clear" or HGH Shawne. He doesn't play the same without it! :icon_eek:

It's very simple...a lack of steroids.
Without them he's not nearly the player he was...he's had very little real impact on any game this year.
Without the 'riods he's a little better than average...sure no Seau is he???

He did get an interception. However, I think it's partly the defensive schemes. Blame that on Cottrell. In fact, Phillips hasn't been that good either, even though he's been hurt. I've also read somewhere that officials aren't calling as many offense holding penalties this year (I don't know if this is intentional or just statistical), I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

Hanestly guys I think it's steroids but if anyone has any other ideas or explanations I would like to hear definitely. It just pisses me off we see this incredible and dominant rookie rush linebacker who is destroying offensive tackles and these days he is the one getting pushed around. Bullrushing was a huge part of his game and he just seemed to play with a lot more strength back then. Yes, nobody schemed around him then but even when he is getting his opportunities 1 on 1 it seems he isn't getting much done. A couple of pressures here and there but most of the time he is being contained. Also, in the press conference this past week he says that the play against Minnesota was unacceptable and that he almost puked watching it and vowed to play with ferocity yet he really didn't have that great a game. Yeah he forced Manning to throw the ball away once and provided pressure a couple of times and made a couple of tackles but where is the Merriman we all thought had the potential to be one of the most dominant players in NFL history? The one who didn't just pressure the QB here and there but who routinely got to the QB and was an extremely disruptive force.

It's very simple...a lack of steroids.
Without them he's not nearly the player he was...he's had very little real impact on any game this year.
Without the 'riods he's a little better than average...sure no Seau is he???

Click to expand...

Well i do not agree with that. He was popped in preseason and roids wear off quickly so i doubt he was juiced during the season. How do you explain his 8.5 sacks after he came back from suspension? You arent going to tell me he was juiced for those are you?

Part scheme imo and part DC's have figured ways to get help on him. He didnt get any sacks tonnight but had some pressures that helped lead to INT's ............but i would like to see him dominate again.

:icon_rofl: Actually, not as many anythings...instead of "lights out", it's more like "turn out the lights", his party's over.
I'll take Jr in his prime over Merriman's play of this year any day.

Click to expand...

In case everyone hasn't noticed, the entire team has underachieved this year, with the exception of CROMARTIE, SPROLES on special teams, and GATES. As ineffective as LT has played, he's still in the top 3 in the AFC this year among RB's with his stats.

He doesn't suck he is just all hype. He's a good player, not an amazing one. What he did on the field the last two years you felt he would be legendary and there is a clear dropoff from that level of play IMO.

He doesn't suck he is just all hype. He's a good player, not an amazing one. What he did on the field the last two years you felt he would be legendary and there is a clear dropoff from that level of play IMO.

Click to expand...

I thought you put me on ignore? That must have been the quickest "ignore sentencing" ever served.

:icon_rofl:

Actually, MTL, even though my posts seem like I'm telling you to phucq off, I actually do respect a lot of your takes and you are right more often than not. You have me beat hands down when it comes to the gambling stuff. Although, I do get frustrated whenever a forum becomes inundated with hundreds or thousands of posts, all of which are complaints and the same ones we've all heard for months. I tend to take it out on whomever is closest and the most recent one, and that was you tonight. My posts about BC and Ryan were part of that.

It could have just as easily been one of the others, it's just your threads and posts were the first ones I saw when I logged on and I responded. I'm now more about responding to the negativity in general, rather than particular posters.

So, I'll be OK tomorrow (which it will be in about 10 minutes), and won't be slamming you anymore. Feel free to take some shots at me to balance it out. I won't complain.

Merriman did have shoulder surgery in the offseason, and I think that greatly limited his workout regimen. He's just not as strong as he was last year. And, no, I don't think 'roids have anything to do with it.

I don't think Merriman has had a bad year by any means. He's played very well at times, but he's not pressuring the QB at all like he did last year.